NAAA Drone Safety Press Release Sparks PR Campaign

Last week’s press release, cautioning hobbyist and professional drone operators not to interfere with low-altitude manned agricultural aircraft, sparked a public relations campaign among agricultural outlets. In addition to appearing in AVweb and AgAir Update last week, the release also appeared in AgriMarketing, CropLife, Fruit Grower News and Southeast Ag Network.

NAAA CEO Andrew Moore was interviewed by Brownfield Ag News and RFD-TV, discussing the association’s safety recommendations for unmanned operators operating in the vicinity of manned ag aircraft. Brownfield Ag News’ radio networks include nearly 600 affiliate radio stations across eleven key Midwestern states (including IL, IN, IA, NE, MO, and OH).

Moore spoke with RFD-TV anchor Eliza Petry on Market Day Report from NAAA’s headquarters in Virginia. During the live television interview, Moore reiterated that drones give way to manned aircraft and reminded them to be licensed and certified to spray with drones. Manned aircraft are looking for other obstacles, such as towers and wires, and drones are small and hard to see; therefore, they should equip drones with ADS-B technology, as well as strobe lights or fluorescent paint, to make them easier for manned pilots to see.

RFD-TV has a total reach of over 50 to 52 million households across the U.S. It is considered the premier independent cable network for rural and agricultural news, widely distributed on major satellite and cable providers, including DISH, and DIRECTV.